Loop length control mechanism



` I 1938. v G GASTRICH. 2,140,472 1 y LooR `11131161111 CONTROL MCHANISM Fi1ed Aug. 14, v193e 5 sheets-sheet 4 INVENTOR.-

1 ATTORNEY Patentedv Dec. 13, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1001 LENGTH CONTROL HECHANISH corporation ofP museum am.: 14, 1m, sei-m No. assu 1s claim. (ci. u-sz) 'Ihis invention relates to control mechanism adapted for use in full fashioned knitting machinos. and has particular reference to a new and improved mechanism for supplementing the nor- 5 mal loop forming mechanism of such machines when it is desired to produce loose courses and other courses in which the lengths of the loops deviate from normal length.

In the knitting of hosiery and the like it pe- `i) riodically becomes necessary to include distinct courses of loops which are of greater length than those loops which form the main body oi' the fabric. Buch courses which are ordinarily referred to as loose courses are introduced into the fabric l at various places. and it frequently becomes necessary to employ four diiferent lengths of loops for as many loose courses in order to produce a stocking in accordance with the given speciilcations.V Inasmuch as it was heretofore necessary to provide a different mechanism for each of the diiferent lengths of loops it will be appreciated that a rather complicated arrangement of parts was ordinarily required in order to produce the desiredv fabric, particularly since each different l length of loops to be produced required a separate regulating lever, each of which in turn required its individual operating mechanism.

This invention is specifically directed to novel mechanism associated with the normal loop regl ulating mechanism, and is intended to facilitate the varying of the length of loops in forming various loose courses by automatic means governed by the main or an auxiliary pattern chain. This i new and improved mechanism dispenses with the i individual loose course regulating levers and comprises a unitary ydevice; the selective use whereof; eifects the production of an unlimited number t of loo courses containing/different length loops. Upon the formation/cfa desired loose course in the fabric Ybeing knitted, this novel device becomes ineective thus permitting the customary normal loop course regulating mechanism to control the subsequently formed courses of loops, until such' time whena button on the pattern chain causes the throwing in of this device for the formation. of another loose course. Inasmuch as the length ofv loops in a. loose course is greater than any loop length governed by the customary normal loop regulating mechanism, it follows that the shifting of the loop governing mechanism of this device into effective position may supplement. or function over and above. the customary normal loop regulating mechanism even though the latter remains in a position where it could function if the former did not supplement it.

An object of this invention is to produce a novel arrangement of parts of the type referred. to, which will eliminate the above and other diills culties incident to the operation of straight knitting machines.-

Another object of this invention is to produce a structure which will eliminate the use oi a plurality of individual loose course regulating mech- 10 anisms for the production of individual loose courses containing loops oi' diii'erent length.

A further object of this invention is to produce auxiliary mechanism acting in conjunction with the normal loop regulating mechanism, l which, when in effective position, renders the normal regulating mechanism ineffective, and controls the loop lengths within loose courses.

Still another object of this invention is to produce a single unit pattem controlled mechanism 2o that will enable the production of an unlimited number oi' loose courses respectively embodying loops of diiferent lengths.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in the novel elements of construction, devices and combination of vparts in cooperative relationship, as hereinafter more particularly set forth in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view oi' a full fashioned knitting machine embodying the new and improved mechanism which constitutes this invention; certain parts of the machine having been omitted for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken ksubstantially along line 2 2 of Fig. l, showing some of the novel mechanism of this invention; o

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of a novel device constituting a part of this invention illustrating the ineffective position of the loose course loop length governing mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating 45 the effective position of the loose course loop length governing mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6 5 of Fig. l, only certain parts being shown, however, to better illustrate the relation of the normal regulating cam and the loose LOllrSe Cam;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line l-i, Fig. 3, of the loose course loop length governing disc and its mount- Fig. l2 is a view similar to the lower left hand l f portion of Fig. 1, of a corresponding pattern mechanism for the modified form of the invention of Figs. 10 and 11.*A y

Certain of thegures disclose lvarious parts of a Reading full fashioned knitting machine embodying the mechanism and elements of my invention. For the sake of clearness I have illustrated only those parts of the various mechanisl'ns necessary for an understanding of the invention; the various other parts and mecha- I of "a Reading full fashioned knitting machinel `is shown including front beamv I, back beam 2, 'and ^`center bed 3 rigidly'supported byyspaced .to each other.

nisms and their manner of operation are well known in the art, and are shown and described in detail in the pamphlet entitled Full Fashioned Knitting Machines, copyright 1920, :and/or the Reading Full Fashioned Knitting Machine catalogues, copyright 192,9, v1935, and published by Y the Textile Machine Works, Reading, Pennsylvania. 'A Y Referringto Fig. 1 of the drawings, a portion vupports 4V 4and 5. A cam '-fshaft 1 is mounted n its customary relation to theframe, as is a eedle bar rocking or pressure shaft 8. The usual narrowing mechanism is shown at its customary position and it is represented generally by the lnumeral `9. rrKnitting needles I5 are mounted'on the needlebar I I in the usual manner. One Aendof a needle bar yfork I6 lsrigidly attached to the needle bar II, and the otherv end is pivotally connected with arm 2li, see Fig. 2.

-A presser lever 2| is xedly mounted on the presser shaft 8, and pivotallysupports arm 20. The functioning of this vassembly of levers imparts a horizontal reciprocation to the'needle bar II. The needle bar lifting arm I1 is rigidly attached to the needle bar shaft I2, and is adapted to impart vertical reciprocation to the needles Vsimultaneously with the action imparted to them.

by the needle bar rocker arm assembly. Y

'Ihe positioningwof 4the regulating shaft 22,'.

and consequently vof the needles relative to the presser Yedge duringY the couliering operation 'tol regulate the' length of the loops and the, num-1v ber of courses per inch., is normallyjcontrolled by mechanism generally -indicated f at I3, see Figs. 9 and 10, which is` commonlyreferred to as the regulating motion. `This mechanism is clearly illustrated and described in ,the Zwicky Patent No. 1,417,289A and is referred to at. this,

point only to the extent of its cooperation with the structure of the present invention. The regulating motion I3 includes the shaft 22 upon which a regulating arm 42 pivots freely. Alongside of this regulating arm 42 is an adjusting arm 30 whichv carries adjustable linkagefor` con-- trolling the positioning of the two arms relative The arm 3IJ is rigidly secured to the regulating shaft 22 by means of 'set screws, see Figs. 9 and l0. Included in this linkage is a screw member 46 which works against a flat portion of the regulating arm. This screw is kept in contact with the regulating arm at substantially all times by means of a coil spring 3I, one end of which is attached to the adjusting arm 30 and the other end to a holder fastened to the back beam 2, said spring action consequently biasing the cam follower 24 of arm 42 into operative engagement with its cam 23.

Thus the positionof the regulating arm 42 relativel to the adjusting arm 30, the angular position of the regulating shaft 22, the position of the needles relative to the presser edge and consequently the length of the loops being produced are determined bythe position of the adjusting screw 46 during the couliering operation. Main and Vernier adjusting devices are preferablygprovided forfthescrew 46 in order to` fac'ilitateV the setting and adjusting of the regulating motion. A bracket 15 xedly mounted on the rregulating shaft 22, to the left of the loose course regulator, see Fig. 1, supports a stud 14 at its free end,which is'adapted to engage the conventional presser 'lev'erZIL The presser lever 2I is of usual construction-and Vis provided with the usual presser.v cam follower 11, which is adapted to cooperate with the presser cam 16 mounted on the @am shaft 1;- It is manifest that i any movement imparted to the regulating shaft 22 by the functioning of thernormal .regulating mechanism I3 is transmitted" to the bracket 15, thus affecting the position ofthe presser lever 2l whichinV turn adjusts' the position, of the needles relativeY to the sinkerhead,'to"co`ntrol the normal loop length. Y n

The present invention deals with mechanism .for governingthe positioning of the needles by the needle bar rocker arm assembly which positioning is normally controlled by the above describednormal loop` regulating mechanism. In l theiproductionofloose courses, it is necessary to reposition the needles relative to the presser edge before the thread guide begins to lay the yarn forv the course. In other words,` the varyving of the needle position'for controlling loop length occurs before the sinkers advance to' form the loops in alternate spaces between the needles.

This may be accomplished by mechanism" capable of controlling the, movement of the conventional regulating shaft over and above that which it ordinarily moves under the influence oi'l andv the regulating shaft, and includes a lever 25 fixed to the conventionalregulating shaft 22,

see Fig. 3. Collars 26 and 21 are loosely mounted i vers 28 and 29 journal a shaft 32, which inturn the normal loop regulating mechanism I3, and v ,fin thepresent embodiment'this is accomplished i ,Y n

by means operating between the main cam shaft rigidly supportsa cam follower 33 which is adapted to cooperate with a cam 34 on the main cam shaft 1 vfor repositioning theregulating'shaft l22 through intermediate agencies, thus governing the length of loops. y Aspring '10,' see Fig; 52, having one endv connected. toy hookportionl 18A of web 50, and the other end attached to the 33 intengagement 'with the cam 34. Y

A variable positioning means capable of augmenting the action of' cam 34 and follower-33 is Vback beam 2, continually urges the cam follower ladapted to VbeAsrfkelectiveiy moved intogandY out of coop rative positionv with an abutting means mounted on the regulating shaft 22. In the present embodiment, the lever 25 is bifurcated at its free end, Fig. 5, one arm 35a of which has its top surface'inclined to the horizontal as shown at 31 in Fig. 8, thus producing an angular surface with respect to the horizontal regulating shaft 22. This inclined surface 31 is longitudinally channeled to provide a guide bearing 35 for an adjustable abutting plate 35 adapted to cooperate with the variable positioning means above re ferred to. Integral with plate 35 and extending thru an opening in the other arm of bifurcated lever 25, is a screw 35 having an adjusting nut anda lock nut located on respective sides of the last mentioned arm of bifurcated lever 25, see Fig. 7.

It is apparent from this recited construction, that plate 35 can be minutely adjusted land thus vary the position of its abutting surface to thereby vary the eilect upon the shaft 22 due to the outward movement of the variable positioning means consequently affecting the loop length control' of this invention. As shown in Fig. 7, ther plate 35 is provided with an elongated aperture 39 that is aligned with a threaded hole 40 in the arm 35a ofthe lever 25. A cap screw Ii passes through aperture 39 and is threaded into hole 59, thus providing an effective locking means to retain plate 35 in any adjusted position.

It was appreciated that means must be provided for augmenting the action of cam ,35 and follower`33 so that their combined action would .be versatile and capable of operating in a manner f' positioned in cooperating relation with the abutting plate 35 upon shifting of the disc into operating position. This disc 53 is restrictively rotatable, and mounted on y'a headed pin 55 pressed into the hub 51 at the end of lever 41, see Fig. 6. The disc 53 is provided with a plurality of threaded apertures l arranged in a circle, which receive threaded elements 55 of varying height. The threaded stems of the elements 55 do not extend completely through the disc 53, thus providing pockets for the partial reception of a ball 55. The hub 51 has a'hole extending partially therethrough and has positioned therein a spring 59. The ball 55 rests between the hub 5l and disc 53, thus serving as a spring pressed releasabley holding means to maintain the disc 53 in adjusted position.

The disc 53 is provided with a toothed periphery of diameter corresponding to that of the hub portion 5l of the lever 41. The outline effected by mounting disc 53 pon the hub 51 corresponds to a plain cir /le circumscribing lthe toothed periphery of disc 53, see Fig. 3.' This structure functions for /a purpose to be hereinafter described. The ,shifting movement of the variable positioning means into and out oi' operating position is utilized to effect the selective operation ofr disc 53, to position the variable height gaging elements 55 in position to vary the length of loops in the loose course being produced. This is accomplished in this instance by a pawl 50 having a tip 60a` for engaging the teeth on disc 53 to step such disc and pivotally urged toward effective position by a spring 53, and whose movement is controlled in accordance with the movement of lever Il. The spring 53, opposite ends of which are respectively attached to a pin 55 of lever 25 and to the hooked arm portion of pawl 50, biases pawl 50 in a counterclockwise direction, the maximum extent of which is `limited by a lug portion on the lever 25 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. One means for accomplishing this desired result employs an extension 55 on pawl 55, which lies in the plane of the hub 5l and cooperates with the periphery thereof to engage the tip 55a with the toothed portion of the disc 53 to rotate the latter upon oscillation' of lever 5l about its pivot Il. It will here be observed that the inclination of the plate 35 is such as to insure its being engaged by the operative button 55 upon movement of the latter into operating position. Two stops 55 and 5l are provided fo'x` limiting the maximum movement of lever 5l in either direction, and each comprises an adjusting screw 55 .arranged in alignment with the path of travel of the hub 5l. A handle 59 is mounted on the lever 4l for the purpose of manually controlling the loose course regulator.

The above described arrangement facilitates the cooperation of the ratchet mechanism and pawl 55 for ensuringits positive action when a selection is required. In order that this variable positioning means will accurately cooperate with the levers 25, 29, and abutting plate 35, abutting means is-provided between levers 25 and 29 in the form of a bracket portion 5i of the web 50 (Fig. 5) against which lever Il rests when shifted to its operating position.

For the proper functioning of the device, sufficient clearance must be provided between the abutting bracket 5I and the forward end of plate 35 for the reception of hub 5l and disc 53 when the same are shifted to operating position. Referring to Fig. 5, loose course cam 3l, which controls the position of levers 25, 29 and consequently bracket 5I, and they normal regulating cam 23, forming part of mechanism i3, which governs the normal position of the shaft 22 and lever 25 and consequently plate 35, are shown as embodying a low and a high portion, respectively, in coincidence throughout their respective portions extending from 'points (A) to (B) thereof. This extent of perimetral coincidence represents the period immediately following the functioning of the coulier mechanism, and it is possible because of this differcntial in cam heighths to shift the hub 5l of lever 5l, with its associated variable positioning mechanism to an effective position at any place between these two points, since during this period the position of lever 25 is controlled by the normal regulating motion through means of the common regulating shaft, whereas the pattern mechanism including lever ll and buttons 55 moves away from the lever 25 as the cam follower 33 follows the lower contour of its cam 35.

It often occurs that more than one loose course is desired to be formed in successive operations of this device throughout the knitting of a stocking. This wil be accomplished by employing a low button on the pattern chain the height of which will swing a lever of this device a limited use,4 a higher button on the main pattern chain which will give a greater movementl t'o the lever, thus causing, by mechanism to be hereinafter described, a new setting of the loop governing mechanism.

The shifting of lever 41, and consequently vthat of the variable positioning means, may be effected by any pattern mechanism, however in the embodiment disclosed, the main patternv kbut not far enough to cause-stepping of the disc 53.v The movement of lever 41 to the other posilals tion of effectiveness occurs when a high button 85 on the pattern chain coacts with the rod operating mechanism, inasmuch as the movement of rod 48, coincident with the operative positioning of a high button on chain 1|, moves the lever 41 sufficiently far to cause stepping of the disc 53 and thereby cause a new element 55 to` become operatively positioned which in turn governs the length of loops in theA following course. This dual 'position of effectiveness of the loop governing mechanism is possible due to the width and inclination of plate 35, and the necessity of such a control becomes apparent when it is appreciated that it is often desirable to repeat loose courses of the same loop length.

The operation of the structure so far described is as follows: A `series of elements 55, which vary in height in accordance with the loose courses desiredA in the knitting of the stocking, are mounted on the disc 53. Buttons are placed along the pattern chain 1| on those links corresponding to the courses within the stocking which are intended to be loose courses.y Low or high buttons may be used, depending upon whether it is desired to produce loose courses of identical loop length upon the successive actuation of this new and improved device, or whether it is desired to rack the disc 53 for the selection of a diilerentfloop length governing button 55 upon the next successive actuation of the device. Upon thecoaction of `a button on the pattern chain 1i with a lever 12, which is adapted to pivot about a pin 13, a longitudinal pull on rod 48 is effected thus pivoting lever 41 about its pivot 44. The movement of rod 48 is transmitted to the lever 41 by a collar secured to the rod 48 which coacts with a forked extension 49 of the lever 41 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. At

this time, as was previously explained. the couliering has functioned and the relation of the normal regulating cam 23 and loose course cam 34 is as shown in Fig. 5, thus providing ample clearance between the elements 5I and 35 for the reception of the variable positioning mechanism.

While an element 55 is aligned with plate 35, the

continued rotation of cam 34 causes a forward thrust of levers 28, 29, and in turn causes lever 25, which is fixed to the regulating shaft 22, to move clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 5. This movement causes the bracket'15, supporting stud 14,` to move clockwise thus affecting the position of lever 2|, see Fig. 2. The leverr 2| through its connection with levers 28 and I 6, affects the position ofthe knitting needles I5 to bring them nearer to the presser bar during the period of the rforward operation yof the sinkers'. Since the sinkers always move out between the needles a constant distance, this moving of the needles closery to the presser edge ,causes additional` thread to be' fed from the thread carriers which obviously increases the length of the loops, thus forming a loose course of specific loop length.

. Upon the specific loose course having been knitted, the button on the pattern chain moves from coactive relation with the lever 12, permitting spring 45 to return lever 41 to it's ineffective position, and thus again rendering the normal loop regulating mechanism effective.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 show a modification of the invention, wherein the variable positioning:

mechanism comprises a pivotal lever 19 having integral therewith an arcuate extension 80. This arcuate extension is adapted to pass between anl abutting element 8l, fixed to and extending between two levers 82 and 83 and the end of a screw 81. The arms 82 and 83 are loosely mounted on the conventional regulating shaft 22,and at their free ends support a shaft 88,. Mounted for free rotation on they shaft 88, is a cam follower 89 having a boss 90 spacing the follower 89 between the levers 82 and 83. One end of a spring 92 is fastened to a hookk 93 integral with the levers 82 and 83, while the other .endvisfsecured to the machine frame, thus maintaining the follower 89 in contact with a loose` course regulating cam 9| ysimilar to the cam 34.

A lever 94 is rigidly connected to the shaft 22 vand serves to transmit the motion of the cam 9i to the lever 15 of Fig. 1. Thislever 94 has screwed into its free end, an adjustable abutment screw 81 which is provided with a lock nut 95. Thepivotal lever 19 is adaptedto oscillate-in accordance with the horizontal reciprocations of rod 48, and the action of a spring 96. A clearance is provided for the passage of the arcuate extension 80, with its the abutting screw 81 and the plate 8i, in a manner similarly described with respect to the clearance provided for the shifting of the hub 51 and .associated elements 55, between the inner end of disc 53, of the first species, into effective position,

and as shown in Fig. 5. The series of elements 55 of varying height are mounted on the arcuate 4&5

Figs. 10 and 11 is as follows: Aseries of variable height elements 55 are arranged on the arcuate extension 88 of lever 19, in accordance with the size of loops required in the various loosecourses in a stocking blank. A series ofv variable height pattern chain buttons 86 are positioned along the pattern chain 1l at those points where it is desired to knit a loose course. It is obvious that by arranging these loose course buttons on the main pattern chain, any combination of loose courses can be formed, by the selective operation of the new andilmroveddevice.

`As one ofthe pattern chain buttons 88 coacts with lever 12longitudinal movement of rod 48 is effected in a mannery as explained in connection with the other modification oi the invention. This movement occurs, of course, as previously explained, prior to the forward movement of the sinkers, at which time suiiicient clearance is present between the abutting end of the screw 81 and the plate 8i, to permit moving of the arcuate extension Oil, and its associated elements, into anective positions. Inasmuch as the roller Il is always in contact with loose course cam 8|, the outwardl movement thereof, when transmitted through an element l and screw 81, causes a pivotal movement of the lever 94, and consequently of shaft 22, a distance greater than is ordinarily effected by the normal regulating mechanism I3. This movement of shaft 22 is imparted to bracket 15 and consequently to presser lever 2i, to thereby vary the length of the loops for the specific loose course. Upon the next operative motion of the pattern chain, the pattern button 86 alluded to is moved out of operative engagement with the rod operating mechanism thus affecting rod 48, whereupon spring 96 returns the lever 'i9 to its ineffective position. At this point, the normal regulating mechanism i3 again operates to control the loop length of the subsequently formed normal loops until another pattern chain button 88 comes up to effect the introduction of another loose course. In this embodiment of the invention a proportionate relation must exist between the height of the pattern chain buttons 86 and the height of the elements 55 on the arcuate extension 80, in order to provide for the selective operation of the device.

From the foregoing, it is manifest that there has been produced a novel arrangement of parts which cooperate to produce a unitary construction facilitating the elimination of the use of a plurality of individual loose course regulating mechanisms. This novel arrangement of parts cooperates to lessen the weight normally applied to the regulating shaft. Further, there has been produced, new and improved mechanism that operates in conjunction with the normal loop regulating mechanism, but which renders `said normal loop regulating mechanism ineffective upon the shifting of this device into an effective position. It is further apparent from the teaching of this invention that a novel single unit device has been provided that will enable the yautomatic controlling of an unlimited number of loose courses.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described, by which I obtain the above results, can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a straight knitting machine, loop forming mechanism, means for selectively regulating the lengths of normal and loose loops formed by said loop forming mechanism, said means comprising a device for selectively determining different lengths of normal loops, and a unit for selectively determining different lengths of loose loops and imparting movement to an element of said loop forming mechanism.

2. In combination with the normal loop regulating mechanism of a multi-section straight knitting machine, a unitary device normally held in ineffective position and adapted to supplant the normal regulating mechanism for controlling a plurality of the machine sections when moved to effective position. said unitary device including means for positioning the machine needles and being provided with a plurality of positions of effectiveness respectively governing loops of different lcngths. and pattern controlled means selectively moving said unitary device to any one of said positions oi effectiveness.

3. A unitary mechanism for selectively affecting the position of the presser lever means of a plurality of the sections of a multi-section straight knitting machine for producing loose courses in a fabric being knitted independent of the normal loop regulating mechanism, comprising a pattern controlled shiftable device, said device including means for positioning the machine needles and having a plurality of positions of operative effectiveness, means for selectively shifting said device into one of said operative positions to control the length of loops of a desired course made by said machine, and means returning said device to ineffective position.

4. A mechanism for varying the action of a control mechanism in knitting machines comprising an oscillatory shaft, means to give said shaft a normal angular movement, and means to increase the angular movement of said shaft when desired comprising an arm fixed on said shaft, an actuator having a throw toward and away from said arm in synchronism with the normal movement of said shaft, but not contacting said arm, and means movable as desired between said actuator and said arm and adapted to transmit motion from the actuator to the arm to increase the angular movement of said shaft beyond the normal.

5. A means for varying the action of a control mechanism in knitting machines comprising an oscillatory shaft, means to give said shaft a normal angular movement, and means to increase the angular movement of said shaft when desired comprising an arm fixed on said shaft, an actuator having a throw toward and away from said arm in synchronism with the movement of said shaft, but not contacting said arm, and an element pivoted on an arm 0n the shaft to swing transversely of the plane of movement of said fixed arm to a position intermediate said actuator and fixed arm to thereby transmit motion between the two to increase the angular movement of said shaft.

6. A means `for varying the action of a control mechanism in knitting machines comprising an oscillatory shaft, means to give said shaft a normal angular movement, and means to 1ncrease the angular movement of said shaft when desired comprising an arm xed on said shaft, an actuator having a throw toward and away from said arm in synchronism with the movement of said shaft, but not contacting said arm, an element adapted to be moved between said actuator and said arm to transmit motion therebetween, a travelling pattern member, and means controlled by said pattern member for interposing said motion transmitting element between said actuator and said arm to thereby increase the angular movement of said shaft.

7. A means for varying the action of a control mechanism in kniting machines comprising an oscillatory shaft, means to give said shaft a normal angular movement, and means to increase the angular movement of said shaft when desired comprising an arm fixed on said shaft, an actuator having a throw toward and away from said arm in synchronism with the movement of said shaft, but not contacting said arm, a collar turnably mounted on said shaft, and a motion transmitting element pivoted on said collar to swing intermediate saidl actuator and said arm to transmit motion therebetween to thereby increase the angular movement of said shaft beyond the normal.

8. In a straight knitting machine, in combination, means acting to operate, and to determine the position of, the needles with respect to the presser edge and means for controlling said means comprising an oscillatory shaft, an arm fixed on said shaft, an actuator turnably mounted on said shaft and having a throw toward and away from said arm, but not contacting the arm, a motion transmitting element adapted to be interposed between said actuator and arm to transmit motion therebetween, a travelling pattern member, and means whereby said pattern member causes said element to be interposed as desired between said actuator and said arm to oscillate said shaft.

9. In a straight knitting machine, in combination a mechanism for positioning the needles with respect to the presser edge, and means for controlling said mechanism comprising, an oscillatory shaft, an arm fixed onl said shaft, anactuator having a throw toward and `away from said arm, but not contacting the arm, an element adapted to be interposed between said actuator and arm for transmitting motion therebetween, said element having buttons of different Vlengths mounted thereon at spaced intervals, a travelling pattern member, and means controlled by said pattern member for setting said element in different positions relative to said arm to thereby vary the movement of said shaft produced by one movement of said actuator as compared to another.

1Q. In a multi-section straight knitting machine `including a cam shaft, presser lever means including cam follower means adapted to cooperate with presser cam means on said `clam shaft, a regulating-shaft, and a unit for controlling a plurality of the machine sections including adjustable means on said regulating shaft adapted to vary the movement of said presser lever meansto control the length of loops of the average course, means for positioning the machine needles independently of said adjustable means including a fixed and a loose lever on said regulating shaft and provided with relatively adjustable abutment surfaces between said levers, of pattern controlled means adapted to bershifted bet'ween said surfaces for automatically affecting the presser lever means, whereby a plurality of individual loose courses of varying length loops can be produced with intervening courses of normal loops. Y

l1. In 'a multi-section straight knitting machine, a cam shaft, a regulating shaft, presser lever means including cam follower means adapted lto cooperate with presser cam means on said ,cam shaft, a normal course regulating mechanism operating between the cam shaft and regulating shaft effective to control the. length of loops during normal knitting, a unitary loose course regulating mechanism for positioning the machine needles independently of said normal course regulating mechanism and adapted to vary the length of loops of a plurality of the machine sections during the formation of a plurality of individual loose courses, comprising pattern controlled shiftable means embodying a plurality of varying height projections adapted to be passed into and out of operative relation with other parts of the loop length varying mechanism mounted on said regulating shaft, and during predetermined cycles of operation of said machine.

12. In combination with a multi-section straight knitting machine, a cam shaft, -a regulating shaft, presser lever means operative to affect the position ef the knitting needles with' respect to the presser bar means` and cooperating with presser cam means on said cam shaft, loop regulating mechanism acting between the cam shaft and the regulating shaft for controlling the length of loops during normal knitting, of a unitary device for positioning the needles of a plurality of the machine sections and selectively producing complete loose courses independent of said loop regulating mechanism and comprising pattern controlled shiftable means, said means including a plurality of positions of operative effectiveness, and adapted to be selectively shifted into one ofA said operative positions for controlling the length of the loops of a course made by said machine, and means returning said device to ineffective position.

13. A unitary mechanism for selectively affecting the position of. the presser lever of a straight knitting machine for producing loose courses in a fabric being knitted, comprising aV pattern controlled shiftable device, said device including a plurality Aof interchangeable varying height elements mounted on an extension thereof, pattern means provided with varying height extensions adapted to shift a corresponding element on said device, into position to cause operation of the mechanism, and means returning said device to ineffective position upon the moving of said pattern extension to ineffective position. l

14. In a straight knitting machine, a cam shaft, a presser cam on said cam shaft, a presser lever for cooperation therewith, a regulating shaft, loop regulating mechanism mounted on said regulating shaft and cooperating With a cam on said cam shaft, adapted to control the position of said presser -lever and thereby control the length of the loops during normal knitting, unitary means mounted on said regulating shaft comprising a fixed lever and a loose lever also thereon and a device Lmovable between said levers having a plurality of elements of varying height, said device capable' of being moved to any one of a plurality of positions byautomatic pattern control mechanism for effecting the shifting of any one of saidelements between said loose andV fixed lever on said regulating shaft, and a cam on said cam shaft cooperating with said loose lever to impart a predetermined movement to said` regulating shaft in accordance with the heightv of element between said loose and fixed levers.

15. In a straight knitting machine,` a camV shaft, a presser cam on said cam shaft, a presser lever for cooperation therewith, a egulatng shaft, loop regulating mechanism mounted on said regulating shaft and cooperating with a cam on said cam shaft, adapted to control the position of said presser lever and thereby control the length of the loops during normal knitting, additional unitary loop regulating means mounted on lsaid regulating shaft for lengthening the loops of desired courses and including a series of varying height elements arranged in a'manner to become aligned with contact surfaces of said unitary means upon the shifting of said elements into effective position, pattern control mechanism including a number of varying height surfaces adapted to selectively control the shifting of said elements during desired cycles of operation of. said machine, and means effective Yto return said shiftable elements to ineffective position after the formation of a given lengthened course of loops by said machine. l Y

16. In a straight knitting machine, a cam shaft,

a regulating shaft, a loose course regulating device including a loose lever and a fixed lever on said regulating shaft and loop varying 'control mechanism between said levers providing aligned cooperating contact surfaces on said levers, respectively, said loose lever being provided with a roller cooperating with a cam on said cam shaft. mechanism acting between said cam shaft and said regulating shaft for controlling the length of the loops during normal knitting, said normal loop control mechanism including a lever fixed to said regulating shaft and a lever tumably mounted on said regulating shaft provided with a roller cooperating with a cam on said cam shaft,

' said cams being so arranged that low and high portions thereof are in coincidence, thereby periodically providing clearance between said tlrst two named levers of said loose course regulating device for permitting the passage of portions of said loose course loop varying control mechanism therebetween.

17. In a straight knitting machine, the combination with regulating mechanism adapted to control the length of loops during normal knitting, of unitary mechanism adapted to control the length of loose course loops throughout a plurality of selected points in the stocking being knitted, comprising a pivotal lever provided with a rotatable disc including a plurality of varying height elements and adapted to be shifted into effective position, pattern controlled means selectively effective to cause said shifting and adapted to simultaneously change the setting of said disc on said lever, and to cause the shifting of the rotatable disc into eifective position without changing the setting thereof.

18. In a straight knitting machine, the combination with regulating mechanism adapted to control the length of loops during normal knitting, of unitary mechanism adapted to control the length of loose course loops throughout a plurality of selected points in the stocking being knitted, comprising a pivotally mounted arm one end of which supports a ratchetable disc including varying height means for cooperating with an adjustable contact element in said unitary mechanism, means normally holding said pivotal arm in ineifective position, and pattern control means adapted to move said pivotally mounted arm to a plurality of positions of eii'ectivness, and tooth means adapted to change the rotative position of said disc when said arm is moved to one of said positions of effectiveness.

19. A unitary mechanism for selectively aiecting the position of the presser lever of a straight knitting machine for producing a plurality of loose courses oi varying loop length, comprising a pattern controlled shiftable device including a ratchetable disc provided with varying height elements and adapted to be shifted into any one of a plurality of positions of eii'ectiveness, means returning said device to ineective position upon the completion of a desired course of sinker loops, and means for stepping said ratchetable disc as it approaches one of its positions oi' etlectiveness. 

